Craig DiLouie recently talked with Ken Lancos, President, IR-TEC America, Inc. about IR TEC America’s history, distinct value proposition, and new products.
DiLouie: Please introduce our audience of lighting controls practitioners to your company.
Lancos: IR TEC America is the latest successful venture that IR TEC International has undertaken since October 2012. IR TEC International is an ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified company that has been designing and manufacturing a variety of sensors and control devices for building security, lighting controls, and energy management since 1982. All IR TEC products are developed and manufactured by a professional engineering team in our own completely sensor-controlled headquarters in Taiwan.
Based in Anaheim, CA, the IR TEC America team brings over 30 years of occupancy sensor and lighting control service experience to all customers in the North American market. IR TEC America was created to have proactive sales, product stock, and in-time technical support locally.
DiLouie: How would you describe your lighting controls product line?
Lancos: The IR-TEC product line is second to none. We have a full line of stand-alone and networked lighting control products that can solve any need. We have single PIR and dual tech PIR & HFD sensors. We have indoor and outdoor IP66 products. We easily can change lenses that will allow for up to 60ft high detection and special lenses that will do warehouse aisles. Our sensors have several body types to allow for internal mounting or external mounting. We also have a full Zigbee Wireless control solution with our OS-NET line.
DiLouie: What notable new product introductions did your company offer this year?
Lancos: This past year we extended our products offered within our OS-NET wireless line to allow for better integration with BMS systems. We also launched Bluetooth programmable sensors and a 0-10v dimmable dual tech wall switch.
DiLouie: What is your company’s philosophy regarding product development and customer service?
Lancos: For IR-TEC everything starts with our quality. Quality is one important factor that has sustained IR TEC’s competitive edge since 1982. At IR TEC, we believe product quality is primarily determined by a well managed product design procedure. Therefore, we design and manufacture all our products under a well established and well maintained ISO 9001 quality management system. To ensure delivering only the best to our customers, every product is 100% tested at least 3 times during different production stages before shipping out from our ISO 14001 certified manufacturing facility. To IR TEC, quality is everything and it is what matters the most.
From there we pride ourselves on having the best customer service in the industry. We are told daily how great our customer service people are. We strive to make the customers experience as positive and easy as possible.
DiLouie: Where does your company and its products fit into the overall market for lighting controls? What differentiates your brand(s)?
Lancos: We believe we are an innovator and stand at the forefront of the lighting control industry. Having a brand that is made in Taiwan really sets us apart from everyone else. The higher quality we get from Taiwan is a huge plus. Additionally, being made in Taiwan allows for us to be BABA, BAA and TAA complaint.
DiLouie: What services does your company offer to support design, application, installation, and operation of your products?
Lancos: We are a full-service company that can do the sensor layouts, takeoffs, and submittals for a customer. We can do onsite programming of our standard sensors as well as our OS-NET system. We also offer a fully packaged pre-programmed OS-NET solution that will be as simple as wire in, power up and it is already programmed.
DiLouie: What resources does your company offer on its website to educate and support lighting control practitioners?
Lancos: Our website and YouTube page offer all the information, technical specs, and installation instructions that a customer could ever need. We are always adding new videos to the YouTube page to help make using our products easier and to help educate our customers on how sensors work.
DiLouie: What overall trends are shaping demand for lighting control, and how do you see your company influencing and supporting these trends?
Lancos: The biggest trend in the industry right now is the wireless communication for lighting controls. It is making installation easier and systems smarter. With our OS-NET system we believe we are offering a low-cost easy-to-use system that can be applied anywhere. The OS-NET system really is the best bang for the buck.
DiLouie: Where do you see your company in five years?
Lancos: Growth is at the heart of our culture. In 5 years, I see us having stock not just in Anaheim, CA but also on the east coast as well. Having a second office on the east coast that allows for customer support first thing on the east coast to the end of the day on the west coast. We will also launch several new products over the next few years that will solidify our standing as a market innovator and leader in the sensor world.
DiLouie: Is there anything else you’d like to add about your company and the value it offers to lighting control?
Lancos: IT-TEC is a family and what we offer is a chance for every customer to be a part of that family. One Tenant of our core values is treating the customer the way we would want to be treated and that tenant has served us well. Having products that are of the highest quality, people who go the extra mile and a truly proactive approach makes IR-TEC the best sensor company in the world to partner with.
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